By the time Caleb arrived at Nicky's bar with Blair at his side the rest of the group had already arrived and were waiting for them at a nearby table. While Caleb left her at the table to order their food Blair watched along with Lux and the rest of the girls as Reid, Tyler and Pogue played a game of pool with Aaron Abbot, the infamous asshole of Spencer Academy. When Aaron was busy with his turn the three boys suddenly seemed to take notice of a girl standing near the bar who just so happened to be wearing a ridiculously short skirt. One by one each of the three boys pulled some cash out of their pockets and began talking amongst themselves. From the distance between where she sat and where the boys were at the pool table Blair couldn't hear what they were saying but from the evil glare that Lux was shooting across the room to them told her that her friend knew exactly what they were talking about.
Seconds later Lux along with Gemma and Peyton pushed there chairs out from under them as they stood and without a word angrily made their way over to their fiancé and boyfriends.
"I hope you boys aren't doing what I think you're doing?" Lux said her icy voice betraying her look of outward calm.
The three boys immediately made to return the bills to their pockets. They made their best attempts to look innocent of whatever it was they had planned on doing only moments before when faced with the angry glares of their girlfriends.
"Nothing, just enjoying the ever pleasing thrill of kicking Abbot's ass at pool," Reid supplied.
"Good," Lux nodded obviously not believing the excuse. However, Lux let it drop and instead stepped closer to Reid and softly whispered in his ears.
Whatever it was that she had whispered in his ear brought the familiar arrogant smirk to his lips and somehow Blair thought that perhaps it was a good thing she couldn't hear them from where she sat. She could, however, admit that while Reid had his faults at times he and Lux were obviously so in love. She had been told by her other friends how good of an influence Lux had been on him, even Caleb had admitted to her as such. As far as she's ever been able to tell all of them were deeply in love with the same soul deep connection she felt growing stronger between Caleb and herself. Not too long ago Blair had been envious of that connection and love they each shared with their loved one but now she felt that envy fade with each passing moment she spent with Caleb.
While Reid, Tyler, Pogue and the rest of the girls had been distracted it seemed that Aaron Abbot had targeted her while she was alone. And much to Blair's displeasure Aaron's presence wasn't so easy to ignore while he was lurking so close. From the corner of her eye Blair sent him the coldest glare she could muster but the message didn't seem to get through his think head. If anything he thought it meant something completely different. He was stupid enough to think that.
"Hey, how about a dance?" Aaron said with a rat like grin that elicited nothing but anger and disgust in Blair.
"Get lost," Blair commented icily and turned her gaze away to ignore him hoping that he'd take the hint.
Unfortunately, she should've know that it wouldn't have worked so easily. Instead Aaron stepped closer. Much too close for Blair to be comfortable. If she moved even the slightest she'd be forced to touch him.
"Now don't be like that," he told her taking hold of her arm and tired to pull her toward the dance floor.
Blair made every attempt to free herself from Aarons hold but physically he was stronger than her and the grip her had on her arm only tightened with her struggles. Little by little Aaron forced her from her seat and toward the dance floor.
"I said no asshole!" Blair yelled angrily as her free hand flew up to land a hard resounding slap across his cheek.
Blair's angry voice echoed through the noisy bar enough that Reid and the rest of her friends had taken notice of Aaron harassing her. Upon seeing what was happening the lightness from the three boys' face faded into looks of complete seriousness and anger. Together the three began to make their way through the crowded bar toward them followed by the girls close behind.
When the shock of being slapped across the face faded Blair didn't miss the anger that flashed through Aaron's eyes. Blair was caught off guard by Aaron's next move as he suddenly jerked her closer to him so that there was an uncomfortable and unpleasant lack of space between them.
"What's your problem?" he growled angrily. "I don't see what any of you or your little girl friends see in those so called Sons of Ipswich. I think you think that your too good for the likes of me. I should just show you how much better I can be."
Suddenly out of nowhere Caleb appeared beating his friends to the punch--- literally. Before Aaron had any time to react to the appearance of Caleb he found himself receiving a hard punch to the face that sent him stumbling back away from Blair. In moments Blair found herself embraced in Caleb's arms as he pulled her close and looked over her as if checking for any signs that Aaron might have hurt her.
"You'd think you'd learn at some point Abbot," Reid laughed at Aaron as he got back to his feet finding enjoyment out of Aaron's humiliation as always.
Without a word Aaron wiped the blood that dripped from the corner of his mouth before turning to storm out the door.
Next to her Blair could feel the anger continue to emit from Caleb. If she hadn't been able to feel it tingle through their connection it would've been made obvious by his shallow breaths, heaving shoulders and the intense glare that had yet to fade from his eyes.
"What the hell man that was awesome!" Reid said in congratulations to Caleb loving the fact that Caleb who would so often referee fight between Aaron and himself was actually the one to make a hit this time.
Their friends made to approach them but Blair stopped them with a wave of her hand. Nodding in silent understanding they turned back toward their table to enjoy the rest of their night. Meanwhile Blair lead Caleb out of the back door into the alleyway next to the bar. Once they were alone Blair turned to Caleb.
"Caleb? Are you okay?" she asked looking up into his eyes.
"I am fine," he finally huffed after a moment of silence allowing the calm of her presence to sweep over him.
Seeing that he was finally beginning to calm down after the Aaron confrontation Blair smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him close. True, he didn't have to go so far as to hit Aaron even though the asshole had deserved it but Blair had to admit for Caleb to lose his cool and do so for her was rather flattering.
"Thank you," she whispered against his chest.
Caleb's arms wrapped around her waist to hold her close.
"Sorry the date was ruined," he apologized tightening his embrace around her and leaning down to smell the intoxicating floral smell that covered her--- it reminded him of wildflowers after the rain.
Blair giggled a little at the apology. She pulled away just enough to be able to look up to meet his eyes. Even in the dimness of the approaching night Caleb was amazed that her eyes could still be so obviously violet and beautiful.
"Who said the date was ruined?" Blair shrugged her smile never leaving. "We have the rest of the night."
"How about a movie at my place. At least there I won't have to worry about other guys hitting on you when I am not watching," Caleb replied with a smile in return.
"Sounds amazing," Blair answered simply.
Caleb released Blair from his embrace only to take her hand in his as he lead her out of the alleyway and out to the parking lot.
"By the way," Blair started, "Thanks for defending me against Aaron."
"No problem. It's what a good date would do," Caleb replied before laughing a bit at himself eliciting a laugh from Blair as well--- a sound he loved to hear. Unable to resist the temptation of her laughing mouth Caleb leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her lips.
The action caught Blair off guard at first but soon enough she found herself happily kissing him back. It didn't take long before the kiss began to get heated and passionate. Knowing that they were standing in the middle of a parking lot Caleb willed himself to pull away from Blair but not before placing one last quick kiss to her mouth. With both of them smiling uncontrollably Caleb opened the door to his car for Blair before moving around the car to the driver's side to drive them back to his place for their date. It was nearly impossible for him not to think of what else they could do while at his place--- he was a guy after all but the gentlemanly side of him quickly pushed the thought away for another time. He could tell that Blair was very inexperienced in romantic relationships and didn't want to rush her into anything that she wasn't ready for. Anyway it was only their first date--- they had plenty of time to take things further. For now all that mattered to him was making Blair happy.
Blair awoke with the sunlight streaming in from a nearby window hit her eyes. Comfortable she made the attempt to maneuver herself out of the direct light and found herself nuzzling closer to the warm hard presence next to her. As the familiar scent of forest and cinnamon reached her nose the memory of the night before came rushing back to mind. Blair's eyes shot open to find herself laying practically on top of Caleb who was reclined back against the couch with his arm wrapped around her shoulder where they had been watching a movie the night before. Judging by the blue screen of the big screen television in front of them at some point during the movie they had fallen asleep.
Still enjoying the feel of her position against Caleb, Blair made little attempt to move away or get up. It wasn't until she caught sight of the clock above the fire mantle across the room that she shot up. The clock read ten minutes past 10--- they were late and Spencer being the prestigious school that it was didn't often look kindly on tardiness.
"Caleb!" Blair called shaking Caleb awake. "Caleb get up we're late!"
By the time Blair and Caleb made it to Spencer they had already missed 2 classes and barely arrived on time for their third; which they shared together along with Reid, Pogue, Lux and Gemma. The moment that they walked into the class room and made their way up the steps to their places next to their friends Reid was already smirking hugely at them.
"Nice hair Blair," he laughed as Blair took her seat.
"It doesn't look that bad Reid. It's just messy," Blair snapped trying to fix her wild short locks.
"What were you two doing last night? Did he ware you out Blair? Is that why you're late?" Reid laughed again his smirk making obvious what his thoughts were centered on.
"Stop being an ass Reid," Lux reprimanded in defense of her friend. "It's not that bad Blair. Reid's just playing with you."
"Thanks," Blair laughed.
"Why are you two so late any way?" Pogue questioned Blair and Caleb.
Despite not having done anything the night before but kiss and innocently watch a movie together both Caleb and Blair blushed as they remembered they way they had woken up that morning.
"We kinda fell asleep watching a movie at my place," Caleb explained to his friends.
Much to the pleasure of Caleb and Blair the professor walked into the classroom cutting off any more jokes that Reid might have made. Every so often during the class Blair and Caleb would find themselves glancing over at each other and being meant with the smiling glances of the other. While neither had yet to tell the other they both felt as if the night before had been some sort of break through the beginning to where their connection would lead them. The beginning that would lead them down the path that would eventually reach the saying of three little words. And somehow they both knew that once said they would mean them with all their heart and soul.
As class came to an end and the half of their group that was in the class began to gather their things and make their way out Blair was stopped by Lux.
"We have that big test coming up in Roger's class and since you and me are the only ones in it do you want to study together tonight?" Lux asked as they walked slowly behind the rest of their friends.
"That sounds fine. Where did you have in mind?" Blair replied happy to spend time with her friends even if it was spent studying.
"My place of course," Lux laughed before quickening her pace to walk with Reid.
Blair didn't miss the knowing smile that stretched across her friend's lips as she made a quick getaway. If they were going to study at Lux's place it also meant that Caleb would be there as well since it would also be his place. Somehow Blair thought that was exactly what her friend had in mind in inviting her to her place. Although, Blair had to wonder why her friend would even bother seeing as her relationship with Caleb was already well underway. Apparently it was fast enough for her friend. Blair couldn't help but wonder exactly how long Lux planned on actually studying before coming up with some excuse to leave her alone--- with Caleb of course.
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